Mexborough and Swinton Times March 8, 1929

Diseased Pony.

Wombwell Circus Proprietor Pleads Ignorance.

A plea of “not guilty” was put in atley on Wednesday on behalf of Frank Paulo, a circus proprietor .of Wombwell to a charge of failing to notify parasitic mange in a horse.

Supt. Blacker said that on the 20th February Sgt. Dale went to a field at Wombwell occupied by the defendant and saw a pony absolutely covered with parasitic mange. The pony was running among fourteen others. The defendant s attention was drawn to its condition and after Mr. Ross, county veterinary surgeon had seen it, he agreed to have it destroyed.

The defendant could have no excuse for the offence, Under the act he would be presumed to know the pony had parasitic mange unless he had taken reasonable precautions to ascertain that such was not the case.

Sgt. Dale gave corroborative evidence. When witness asked the defendant why he had not reported the pony’s condition he said he did not know it had the disease.

Paulo being absent from court through illness, “a friend” pleaded ignorance. He said it was obvious Paulo did not know the pony had the disease or otherwise he would not have kept it among others.

Paulo was a registered animal trainer and had been connected with animals all his life.

The Chairman: We shall consider it a case of ignorance and impose a fine of 20e.